Dinitropropyl fluorodinitroethyl formal plasticizer and method of preparation

Abstract

2,2-dinitropropyl 2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl formal which is prepared by theollowing processes: ##STR1##

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. 2,2-dinitropropyl 2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl formal. 
     
     
       2. A method of preparing 2,2-dinitropropyl 2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl formal by the following steps in order: (1) reacting one mole of formaldehyde with each mole of 2,2-dinitropropanol in the presence of an excess of aluminum chloride to produce chloromethyl 2,2-dinitropropyl ether;   (2) isolating the product chloromethyl 2,2-dinitropropyl ether;   (3) reacting one mole of 2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethanol with each mole of chloromethyl 2,2-dinitropropyl ether in the presence of titanium tetrachloride to produce 2,2-dinitropropyl 2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl formal; and   (4) isolating the product 2,2-dinitropropyl 2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethyl formal.   
     
     
       3. The process of claim 2 wherein steps (1) and (3) are performed in an atmosphere of a dry inert gas. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 3 wherein the reaction temperature in step (1) is from -5° C. to 5° C. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 3 wherein the reaction temperature in step (3) is from 50° C. to 90° C. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 3 wherein a catalytic amount of titanium tetrachloride is used in step (3).